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As the race for global space-based connectivity accelerates, the FCC is poised to ease existing regulatory barriers standing between U.S. innovation and the next generation of satellite services. On July 17, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unveiled a draft of its Second Report and Order (“Proposed Order”) aimed at modernizing and streamlining the licensing process for satellite and earth stations. This proposed action—set for a Commission vote on August 7, 2025—is especially focused on unlocking Ground-Station-as-a-Service (GSaaS) models. It reflects the FCC’s commitment to fostering innovation and maintaining U.S. leadership in the rapidly evolving space economy.Continue Reading Ground Control to the FCC: GSaaS Order Ushers in a New Age for Space Communications

The Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) has released a series of items pertaining to its annual regulatory fee assessment and collection process, including: (1) the 2024 Regulatory Fee Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding agency-wide regulatory fee assessment and collection; and (2) a concise Space and Earth Station Report and Order on certain regulatory fees for streamlined small satellite and In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (“ISAM”) operators stemming from the Space and Earth Station Fee Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Together, these documents reflect the Commission’s continuing efforts to revamp its methodology for assessing regulatory fees in light of the demands the rapidly evolving space industry places on the Commission, as well as significant internal reorganization to help address those challenges. The TLDR: All current and future Space Bureau regulatees will be assessed significantly higher fees in FY 2024 than in previous years. All that is left to be determined is who will be responsible for what proportion? And how much will that be? Continue Reading Space Bureau Regulatory Fees Skyrocket in FY 2024